5 Perfectly Unique Nursery Wall Coverings

The Chinese zodiac says 2015 is the year of the sheep, but after roaming the aisles of the ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) in New York City, I am officially declaring it the year of the wall. I am also declaring 2015 the year I declare things—it’s turning out to be quite a good year.

Searching for a perfectly unique nursery wall covering? No need to scour the internet for ideas because I’ve got you and your walls covered. From traditional wallpaper, to three-dimensional wall tiles, to “fake it” wallpaper (number three on Project Nursery’s list of 2015 nursery trends), here are five of my favorites from North America’s premier showcase for contemporary design.

Transport yourself to the English countryside without even packing a suitcase. Just take one look at the designs of UK-based MissPrint, a family business whose designs exude joy and warmth. They take as much pride in the origins of their designs (hand-drawn illustrations) as they do in the origins of their products—everything is sourced from sustainably-managed forests and certified by the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). Named after the classic perennial flower, their Foxglove Wallpaper comes in a variety of colors, including Quince (yellow with white/gray flowers), Garden (off white with pink/green flowers) and Tiki (grayish-blue with white/pink flowers).

Foxglove Wallpaper in Tiki from MissPrint

You don’t need 3D glasses to feel like these sculptural wall tiles from MIO can reach out and grab you. They come in a variety of playful shapes and are completely customizable so they can accommodate any space or design aesthetic. These super trendy Chevron Wall Tiles would add a modern vibe to any room and provide wonderful inspiration for your child’s first exhibit at the MOMA. The other bonus to this clever wall treatment is that the tiles absorb and dampen sound!

Chevron Wall Tiles from MIO

Musical mamas and papas, listen up because I’ve found the perfect wall covering for you! Plaster your nursery walls in the rock-n-roll adorable wallpaper from Brooklynite Aimée Wilder. The Cloud Wallpaper, seen below in Storm, also comes in two brighter shades of rock-n-roll, including Sunshine (a melodic ballad of blues, pinks and grays) and Sonic (a bold visual arrangement of blues, purples and greens). You can capitalize on the “fake it” wallpaper trend by adding smiley faces to a few of the clouds.

Clouds Wallpaper in Storm from Aimée Wilder

Self-described “design archaeologists” Quirk & Rescue mine the inspiration for their signature style of cheerful colors and whimsical graphics from the past that most have forgotten. The HexaGone Wallpaper, seen below in blue/purple, resurrects and modernizes designs last seen in the 1970s. Additional color combinations include cream/green, pink/gray and yellow/orange.

HexaGone Wallpaper in Blue/Purple from Quirk & Rescue

Illustrator Dupenny keeps it kitschy with her retro-inspired designs like the Peacock Wallpaper, seen below in black and white (also available in color). With a clear affection for the heyday of Coney Island, her other patterns include bathing cap-clad synchronized swimmers, ukelele-playing hula dancers and unitard-doning strongmen.

Peacock Wallpaper in Black & White from Dupenny

What are your thoughts on the year of the wall? And I know it’s premature, but what do you think 2016 will be…the year of the ceiling fan?